Jean Knapp Lyman of Chatham, MA passed away on August 27, 2021 at the age of 97 surrounded by her loving children. She was the wife of 73 years to Louis Richard (Dick) Lyman Jr. who died on July 17, 2005.
Jean was born in New Britain, CT on March 1, 1924, the daughter of the late Oscar G. Knapp and Louise Ramsay Knapp of Plantsville, CT. she grew up in Plantsville, graduated from St. Margaret’s School in Waterbury, CT in 1942 and Bradford Jr. College in 1944. Jean and Dick were married in 1948 and built a life together in West Hartford, CT, where they lived for over 40 years. In 1965, Jean and Dick built a second home in Chatham, MA which became home to everyone. She could always be found tending to her garden or preparing to welcome family and friends home from a day of boating.
Jean worked in retail and insurance. Though it was her time working for the Connecticut Historical Society that inspired her love for antiques and genealogy. Once settled in Chatham, Jean volunteered at the Atwood House, the Mayo House and the Caleb Nickerson House. She was also a dedicated member of the local Squanto Chapter of the Questers; she always looked forward to an afternoon discussing history with her closest friends.
Jean received the greatest joy from spending time with family. She is predeceased by her husband, Dick, and their daughter, Barbara Louise Lyman. She is survived by her son Louis Richard (Rick) Lyman III and his wife Leigh of Tiverton, RI; daughter, Deborah Jean Lyman of Harwich, MA; and son, Douglas Parker Lyman and his wife Lauri of Castine, ME.
Jean was so very proud of her five grandchildren: Sarah Doyle and her husband Gordon Shaw of Silver Spring, MD; Abigail Doyle and her partner Erik Hughes of Nantucket, MA; Richard Lyman and his partner Kate Reef of Seattle, WA; Lucy Lyman and her husband Michael Burke of Seward Alaska; and Parker Lyman of Norwich, VT.
Jean and her family wish to thank the Visiting Nurses of Cape Cod, Broad Reach Hospice and all the staff and aids at Liberty Commons for their care and kindness over the years.
A private burial service will be held at Oak Hill Cemetery in Southington, CT on September 13, 2021.
In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made in Jean’s name to:
Monomoy Community Services (Attn. Theresa Malone)
166 Depot St., Chatham, MA 02633
Broad Reach Hospice, 390 Orleans Rd.
North Chatham, MA 02650
For online condolences, please visit www.nickersonfunerals.com.
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